SSC CGL Syllabus PDF and Exam Pattern

SSC CGL Syllabus: Selection Process

The SSC CGL exam will be held in 2 stages called Tiers. The selection process is given in the table provided below. Candidates must go through the details to avoid confusion related to the selection process.

SSC CGL Tier 1 Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL Exam Pattern for Tier 1 consists of 4 sections and a total of 200 marks. Those who qualify for the Tier 1 Exam will be able to appear for the SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam. Check details of the exam pattern here.

SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam Pattern

The SSC CGL Tier 2 Exam is the merit-deciding tier of SSC CGL. We have tabulated below the subject-wise maximum marks and weightage for the Tier 2 Exam

SSC CGL Syllabus for Tier-I Exam

SSC CGL is conducted in two different levels and the syllabus of all two levels is different.

There are 4 sections in Tier I of the SSC CGL exam which are given below:

• Reasoning Ability
• Quantitative Aptitude
• English Language
• General Awareness

The subject-wise topics for SSC CGL Tier-I exam is given below:

General Intelligence Syllabus for SSC CGL

This section includes questions of both verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The questions will be asked from 

1. Semantic Analogy
2. Symbolic operations
3. Symbolic/ Number Analogy
4. Venn Diagrams
5. Coding and de-coding
6. Trends
7. Figural Analogy
8. Embedded Figures
9. Space Orientation
10. Semantic Classification
11. Figural Classification
12. Number Series
13. Emotional Intelligence
14. Figural Series
15. Critical Thinking
16. Problem-Solving
17. Symbolic/ Number Classification
18. Drawing inferences
19. Semantic Series
20. Punched hole/ pattern folding & unfolding
21. Word Building, Social Intelligence
22. Figural Pattern-folding and completion
23. Other sub-topics if any Numerical operations.

English Language Syllabus for SSC CGL

The English Language questions will be asked from the following topics: 

1. Spot the Error
2. Fill in the Blanks
3. One-word substitution
4. Comprehension Passage
5. Synonyms/ Homonyms
6. Antonyms
7. Improvement of Sentences
8. Spellings/ Detecting misspelt words
9. Shuffling of Sentence parts
10. Idioms and Phrases
11. Active/ Passive Voice of Verbs
12. Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration
13. Shuffling of Sentences in a Passage
14. Cloze Passage

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus for SSC CGL

1. Number Systems
2. Algebra
3. Fundamental arithmetical operations
4. Trigonometry
5. Mensuration
6. Statistical Charts
7. Geometry

General Awareness Syllabus for SSC CGL

1. Static General Knowledge
2. Science
3. Current Affairs
4. Sports
5. Books and Authors
6. Important Schemes
7. Portfolios
8. People in the News
9. History
10. Culture
11. Geography
12. Economic
13. Awards and Honors

SSC CGL Syllabus For Tier 2

SSC CGL Tier 2 exam will be conducted online comprising 3 papers-

1. Paper I (Compulsory for all posts),
2. Paper II for candidates who apply for the posts of Junior Statistical Officer (JSO) in the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and
3. Paper III for candidates who apply for the posts of Assistant Audit Officer/ Assistant Accounts Officer.
   Objective Type, Multiple choice questions, except for Module-II of Section-III of Paper-I

Module-1 of Session-1 of Paper-1 (SSC CGL Mathematical Abilities Syllabus)

1. Computation of whole numbers
2. Decimals
3. Fractions
4. Relationships between numbers
5. Percentage
6. Ratio & Proportion
7. Square roots
8. Averages
9. Interest
10. Profit and Loss
11. Discount
12. Partnership Business
13. Mixture and Alligation
14. Time and distance
15. Time & Work
16. Basic algebraic identities of School Algebra & Elementary surds
17. Graphs of Linear Equations
18. Triangle and its various kinds of centers
19. Congruence and similarity of triangles
20. Circle and its chords, tangents, angles subtended by chords of a circle, common tangents to two or more circles
21. Triangle
22. Quadrilaterals
23. Regular Polygons
24. Right Prism
25. Right Circular Cone
26. Right Circular Cylinder
27. Sphere
28. Hemispheres
29. Rectangular Parallelepiped
30. Regular Right Pyramid with triangular or square base
31. Trigonometric ratio
32. Degree and Radian Measures
33. Standard Identities
34. Complementary angles
35. Mensuration
36. Heights and Distances
37. Histogram
38. Frequency polygon
39. Bar diagram
40. Pie chart

Module 2 of Section-1 of Paper-1 (SSC CGL Reasoning and General Intelligence Syllabus)

1. Questions of both verbal and non-verbal types.
2. Semantic Analogy
3. Symbolic operations
4. Symbolic/Number Analogy
5. Trends
6. Figural Analogy
7. Space Orientation
   Semantic Classification
8. Venn Diagrams
9. Symbolic/ Number Classification
10. Drawing inferences
11. Figural Classification
12. Punched hole/ pattern-folding & unfolding
13. Semantic Series
14. Figural Patternfolding and completion
15. Number Series
16. Embedded figures
17. Figural Series
18. Critical Thinking
19. Problem-Solving
20. Emotional Intelligence
21. Word Building
22. Social Intelligence
23. Coding and de-coding
24. Numerical operations

Module-1 of Section-2 of Paper-1 (SSC CGL English Language And Comprehension Syllabus)

1. Spot the error
2. Fill in the blanks
3. Synonyms
4. Antonyms
5. Spelling/ detecting misspelled words
6. Idioms & phrases
7. One-word substitution
8. Improvement of sentences
9. Active/ passive voice of verbs
10. Conversion into Direct/Indirect narration
11. Shuffling of sentence parts
12. Shuffling of sentences in a passage
13. Cloze passage
14. Comprehension passage

To test comprehension, three or more paragraphs will be given and questions based on those will be asked. At least one paragraph should be a simple one based on a book or a story and the other two paragraphs should be on current affairs, based on a report or an editorial.

Module II of Section II of Paper-I (SSC CGL General Awareness Syllabus)

1. India and its neighboring countries especially about History, Culture, Geography, Economic Scene, General Policy & Scientific Research
2. Science
3. Current Affairs
4. Books and Authors
5. Sports
6. Important Schemes
7. Important Days
8. Portfolio
9. People in News

Module-I of Section III of Paper-I (SSC CGL Computer Proficiency Syllabus)

1. Computer Basics: Organization of a computer, Central Processing Unit (CPU), Input/ Output devices, computer memory, memory organization, back- up devices, PORTs, Windows Explorer. Keyboard shortcuts.
2. Software: Windows Operating system including basics of Microsoft Office like MS Word, MS Excel, and PowerPoint, etc.
   Working with the Internet and e-mails: Web Browsing & Searching, Downloading & Uploading, Managing an E-mail Account, e-Banking
3. Basics of networking and cyber security: Networking devices and protocols, Network and information security threats (like hacking, virus, worms, Trojans, etc.), and preventive measures.

Paper II (Statistics)

1. Collection, Classification, and Presentation of Statistical Data –Primary and Secondary data, Methods of data collection; Tabulation of data; Graphs and charts; Frequency distributions; Diagrammatic presentation of frequency distributions.
2. Measures of Central Tendency – Common measures of central tendency – mean median and mode; Partition values- quartiles, deciles, percentiles.
3. Measures of Dispersion- Common measures of dispersion – range, quartile deviations, mean deviation, and standard deviation; Measures of relative dispersion.
4. Moments, Skewness, and Kurtosis – Different types of moments and their relationship; the meaning of skewness and kurtosis; different measures of skewness and kurtosis.
5. Correlation and Regression – Scatter diagram; simple correlation coefficient; simple regression lines; Spearman’s rank correlation; Measures of association of attributes; Multiple regression; Multiple and partial correlations (For three variables only).
6. Probability Theory – Meaning of probability; Different definitions of probability; Conditional probability; Compound probability; Independent events; Bayes‟ theorem.
7. Random Variable and Probability Distributions – Random variable; Probability functions; Expectation and Variance of a random variable; Higher moments of a random variable; Binomial, Poisson, Normal and Exponential distributions; Joint distribution of two random variables (discrete).
8. Sampling Theory – Concept of population and sample; Parameter and statistic, Sampling and non-sampling errors; Probability and nonprobability sampling techniques(simple random sampling, stratified sampling, multistage sampling, multiphase sampling, cluster sampling, systematic sampling, purposive sampling, convenience sampling and quota sampling); Sampling distribution(statement only); Sample size decisions.
9. Statistical Inference – Point estimation and interval estimation, Properties of a good estimator, Methods of estimation (Moments method, Maximum likelihood method, Least squares method), Testing of hypothesis, Basic concept of testing, Small sample and large sample tests, Tests based on Z, t, Chi-square, and F statistic, Confidence intervals.
10. Analysis of Variance – Analysis of one-way classified data and two-way classified data.
11. Time Series Analysis – Components of time series, Determination of trend component by different methods, Measurement of seasonal variation by different methods.
12. Index Numbers – Meaning of Index Numbers, Problems in the construction of index numbers, Types of index numbers, Different formulae, Base shifting and splicing of index numbers, Cost of living Index Numbers, and Uses of Index Numbers.

Paper-III (SSC CGL General Studies-Finance and Economics Syllabus)

This section of the SSC CGL Tier 2 Syllabus is divided into 2 parts Finance & Accounts and Economics & Governance for which the sub-topics are detailed below-

Part A: Finance and Accounts-(80 marks)

1.1 Financial Accounting

1. Nature and scope
2. Limitations of Financial Accounting
3. Basic Concepts and Conventions
4. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

1.2 Basic Concepts of Accounting

1. Single and double entry
2. Books of Original Entry
3. Bank Reconciliation
4. Journal, ledgers
5. Trial Balance
6. Rectification of Errors
7. Manufacturing
8. Trading
9. Profit & Loss Appropriation Accounts
10. Balance Sheet
11. The distinction between Capital and Revenue Expenditure
12. Depreciation Accounting
13. Valuation of Inventories
14. Non-profit organization’s Accounts
15. Receipts and Payments and Income & Expenditure Accounts
16. Bills of Exchange
17. Self Balancing Ledgers

Part B: SSC CGL Economics and Governance Syllabus-(120 marks)

2.1 Comptroller & Auditor General of India- Constitutional Provisions, Role, and Responsibility.

2.2 Finance Commission-Role and functions.

2.3 Basic Concept of Economics and Introduction to Micro Economics

1. Definition
2. Scope and Nature of Economics
3. Methods of economic study
4. Central problems of an economy
5. Production possibilities curve

2.4 Theory of Demand and Supply

1. Meaning and determinants of demand
2. Law of Demand and Elasticity of Demand
3. Price
4. Income and cross elasticity
5. Theory of consumer behavior
6. Marshallian approach and Indifference curve approach
7. Meaning and determinants of supply
8. Law of supply
9. The elasticity of Supply

2.5 Theory of Production and Cost

1. Meaning and Factors of Production
2. Laws of production- Law of variable proportions and Laws of returns to scale.

2.6 Forms of Market and price determination in different markets

1. Various forms of markets-Perfect Competition
2. Monopoly
3. Monopolistic Competition
4. Oligopoly
5. Price determination in these markets.

2.7 Indian Economy:

1. Nature of the Indian Economy Role of different sectors, Role of Agriculture, Industry and Services-their problems and growth.
2. National Income of India-Concepts of national income, Different Methods of measuring national income.
3. Population-Its size, rate of growth, and its implication on economic growth.
4. Poverty and unemployment- Absolute and relative poverty, types, causes, and incidence of unemployment.
5. Infrastructure-Energy, Transportation, Communication.

2.8 Economic Reforms in India

1. Economic reforms since 1991
2. Liberalization
3. Privatization
4. Globalization
5. Disinvestment

2.9 Money and Banking:

1. Monetary/ Fiscal policy- Role and functions of Reserve Bank of India; functions of commercial Banks/RRB/Payment Banks.
2. Budget and Fiscal Deficits and Balance of Payments.
3. Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003.

2.10 Role of Information Technology in Governance.

Note: Questions in Module-I of Section- I of Paper-I (Mathematical Abilities) will be of Matriculation Level, in Module-I of Section- II of Paper-I (English Language and Comprehension) of 10+2 Level and in Paper-II and Paper-III of Graduation Level.

Module II of Section III of Paper-I (SSC CGL Computer Proficiency Syllabus)

DEST – Module II of Section III of Paper-I will include conducting a Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) for 15 minutes in Session II on the same day.

The Data Entry Speed Test (DEST) is a 15-minute typing test that is conducted as part of the SSC CGL exam. Candidates must type 2000 key depressions in 15 minutes to pass the test. The DEST is mandatory for all posts, but it is only a qualifying exam, meaning that you only need to pass it to be eligible for further consideration.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of the DEST:

• The DEST will be conducted on a computer in English.
• Candidates will be given an article in English to type.
• The article will be about 2000 words long.
• Candidates must type the article in 15 minutes.
• The typing speed requirement is 2000 key depressions per 15 minutes.
• The DEST is mandatory for all posts, but it is only a qualifying exam.